EDMONTON - Two Canadian zoos have topped an international animal rights organization's list of the 10 worst zoos for elephants.

In Defense of Animals, based in San Rafael, Calif., says it has a membership of 100,000.

The group named the Edmonton Valley Zoo as its worst for 2012 for the ongoing controversy over an aging elephant named Lucy.

Coming in at No. 2 is the Bowmanville Zoo, a privately owned zoo east of Toronto.

IDA spokeswoman Nicole Meyer says scientific research shows that in order to thrive, elephants need space for walking, family social structures and a rich natural environment.

The group says the Edmonton zoo has selfishly condemned Lucy to a solitary life after sending away her companion of 18 years, an elephant named Samantha, in 2007.

"Despite worldwide outrage over Lucy’s plight, the zoo continues to allow Lucy to languish in immense psychological and physical pain," says the IDA.

The City of Edmonton has resisted calls from activist groups and celebrities such as retired "Price is Right" host Bob Barker to move Lucy to an elephant sanctuary in a warmer climate.

Edmonton Mayor Stephen Mandel has said the zoo has had professional advice indicating Lucy would likely die during such a trip.

The zoo in Bowmanville was criticized by the IDA because its sole elephant, Limba, also lives without companionship.

"During the cold winter months, Limba is locked in a tiny cement cell," says the IDA. "If that wasn’t bad enough, the zoo forces Limba to perform tricks in the circus and rents her out for fairs, parades, movies, commercials and parties."

Bowmanville Zoo co-owner Michael Hackenberger has defended the facility in the past, saying Limba is well treated and well loved.

Other zoos condemned by the IDA include the Woodland Park Zoo in Seattle and the Bronx Zoo in New York.

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Lulu was a social media star before she was even born. As her mother, five-year-old Tessa, delivered her in October 2012, every detail was live-tweeted on Twitter with a #giraffebirth hash tag that quickly went viral. At 8:27 a.m., followers learned that the 150-pound calf was out. At 9:14 a.m., they found out that she stood up for the first time. And at 9:44 a.m., they heard that she was nursing. Those who want to glimpse Lulu and Tessa “IRL” (that’s “in real life”) can visit mom and baby at the Giraffe Ridge exhibit.
Photo: Courtesy of Cincinnati Zoo

See More of the Cutest Baby Animals at U.S. ZoosXiao Liwu is the sixth giant panda cub to be born at the San Diego Zoo from mama bear Bai Yun. His name means “little gift” (cue the “awws”!) and was selected by thousands of fans who participated in an online vote. These days, you can catch Xiao Liwu toddling around the Panda Trek habitat as he learns to walk. Photo: Courtesy of San Diego Zoo

See More of the Cutest Baby Animals at U.S. ZoosKito means “jewel” in Swahili, and this adorable zebra colt is certainly a prized animal at Chicago’s Lincoln Park Zoo. The energetic, long-legged youngster lives with his mom, Adia, and spends his days prancing around his yard in the Antelope & Zebra Area.Photo: Courtesy of Lincoln Park Zoo

See More of the Cutest Baby Animals at U.S. ZoosGat and Lita came into the world, this spring, under harrowing circumstances. Their mother, Ally, 5, birthed Gat, then underwent a cesarean section to deliver three more cubs, but only one, Lita, survived. Mom and the two cubs spent several days afterwards in intensive care and have since fully recovered -- and bonded. Cheetahs are the fastest land animals, and because they were born in an Olympics year, the cubs were named after the speediest American man and woman at the London Games. "Gat the Cat" takes his name from Justin Gatlin, who won bronze in the men's 100-meter sprint, and "Lita the Cheetah" was named after Carmelita Jeter, who won silver in the women's 100 meters.Photo: Smithsonian National Zoo

See More of the Cutest Baby Animals at U.S. ZoosThough he was born in early 2012, Bexley, a Matschie's tree kangaroo, only recently started venturing from his mother's pouch to walk around and explore. As he gets bigger, the furry marsupial will be able to jump great distances, too -- tree kangaroos, native to Papua New Guinea, can leap as much as 30 feet, from a treetop to the ground.Photo: Courtesy of St. Louis Zoo

See More of the Cutest Baby Animals at U.S. ZoosMara, 5, and Foli, 9, became the parents of two male cubs in June 2012. They weighed just two to three pounds apiece and were placed into intensive care when one did not nurse for a dangerously long time. Luckily, the two youngsters are now healthy and living together in their habitat. The orange-and-black-striped cuties are still waiting on their names (the rights to name them were recently auctioned off at a zoo fundraiser), but in the meantime, they’re happy to pass their days eating, dozing, and exploring their surroundings.Photo: Courtesy of Columbus Zoo

See More of the Cutest Baby Animals at U.S. ZoosThis little one emerged from her mom’s pouch so recently that, as of November 2012, she has yet to receive a name. The Brookfield Zoo’s female wombat is the fourth child of 12-year-old Kambora, who was born at the San Diego Zoo, and the second of Wilbur, 20, from Australia, the native country of wombats. This rambunctious baby lives at the Brookfield Zoo’s Australia House and likes staying close to mom—sometimes even clambering onto her back.Photo: Courtesy of Brookfield Zoo